Mumbai FC ride on luck against Salgaocar

It doesn’t matter how the goals come, what matters is a win. That’s exactly how things panned out for hosts Mumbai FC, who, with a bit of luck, eked out a 2-1 win against Salgaocar in a ninth round I-League match at the Cooperage on Friday.

In the second minute, Salgaocar’s right-back Gurpreet Singh deflected into his own goal a free-kick taken by Mumbai FC’s Noel Wilson. Later, a blunder by the Goan defenders proved costly, as substitute Kayne Vincent of Mumbai FC capitalised by scoring the winner in the 84th minute. Mumbai FC captain Abhishek Yadav moved down the middle and flicked the ball forward for Vincent. The Salgaocar defence, instead of closing down Vincent who they wrongly felt was offside, turned towards the assistant referee. The striker coolly lobbed over advancing goalkeeper Kalyan Chaubey to trigger celebrations.

In between the strikes, Salgaocar struck their goal from a brilliant setpiece. Francis Fernandes curled the ball towards the left side of the box off a free-kick from 25 yards out. Luciano Sarbosa’s subsequent cross was converted by Mandjou Keita.